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Learning to Live with the Bomb: Pakistan: 1998-2016
This book is a history of the evolution of Pakistan's nuclear weapons management system, including its nuclear doctrine and the measures in place to secure and safeguard them. This work highlights the elements that went into the formulation of Pakistan's nuclear policy.
The book's great significance lies in the fact that it tackles the little known subject of nuclear learning most comprehensively in all its dimensions. With great clarity and balance, the author clearly highlights the discernible aspects of Pakistan's learning experience and establishes beyond doubt that Pakistan has learnt from crises events and has evolved into a responsible nuclear weapons state with effective command, control, and custodial arrangements in place.
The book's great significance lies in the fact that it tackles the little known subject of nuclear learning most comprehensively in all its dimensions. With great clarity and balance, the author clearly highlights the discernible aspects of Pakistan's learning experience and establishes beyond doubt that Pakistan has learnt from crises events and has evolved into a responsible nuclear weapons state with effective command, control, and custodial arrangements in place.
328 pages, Hardcover
Published June 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 27, 2019
"Learning to Live with the Bomb" is one of the few books written in Pakistan on the little known topic of nuclear learning. Scope of the book is wide which includes development of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, evolution of country’s nuclear doctrine, nuclear command and control, safety and security arrangements and nuclear export control regime.
The book briefly and aptly narrates Pakistan’s tough journey to attain a nuclear bomb. Embarking on the nuclear course in early 1970’s at a time when Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was already in force, Pakistan’s journey till 28 May 1998 wasn’t a smooth one. Facing multiple challenges including international pressure, economic sanctions, threats from India and Israel as well as internal political situation, fragile economy and technological lag, becoming a nuclear armed state has only been possible due to nation’s support and determination to the project.
After declaring it’s nuclear might, next logical step was to prepare a nuclear doctrine learning from the other nuclear weapon states. Like every other country, Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine has evolved over the passage of time due to technological advances, defence requirements and in a response to Indian Cold Start Doctrine and Proactive Strategy. However, Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine which appears to revolve around Minimum Credible Deterrence is still not publicly declared and the ambiguity goes in the favour of strategic interests of the country.
Requirement of a nuclear command and control is far more demanding than that of a conventional one and right after 28 May 1998, need for a nuclear command and control was felt more than ever before. As a result, three tiered National Command Authority (NCA) with President of Pakistan as it’s Chairman and Prime Minister as Vice Chairman was established in the year 2000 (the appointment of Chairman was later rendered to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani by President Asif Zardari abolishing the appointment of Vice Chairman). Adequate civilian representation (in addition to chairman) in NCA includes Foreign Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Minister of Interior. NCA is comprised of two control committees and three Services Strategic Forces with Strategic Plans Division (SPD) functioning as its secretariat headed by a Lt Gen.
Pakistan nuclear assets both civilian and military are well protected in terms of nuclear safety as well as physical security. The learning in nuclear safety and security has been swift bringing the standards at par with the most advanced nuclear states. The same has been recognized by NTI Nuclear Security Index 2014, which termed Pakistan’s nuclear security as most improved among nuclear states. Learning from the Dr A.Q. Khan incident, Pakistan has improved nuclear export control manifold making any such incident next to impossible in the future.
Thus, Pakistan has not only developed the nuclear capability under pressure and threats, but has also maintained it’s status as a responsible nuclear state.
The book briefly and aptly narrates Pakistan’s tough journey to attain a nuclear bomb. Embarking on the nuclear course in early 1970’s at a time when Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was already in force, Pakistan’s journey till 28 May 1998 wasn’t a smooth one. Facing multiple challenges including international pressure, economic sanctions, threats from India and Israel as well as internal political situation, fragile economy and technological lag, becoming a nuclear armed state has only been possible due to nation’s support and determination to the project.
After declaring it’s nuclear might, next logical step was to prepare a nuclear doctrine learning from the other nuclear weapon states. Like every other country, Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine has evolved over the passage of time due to technological advances, defence requirements and in a response to Indian Cold Start Doctrine and Proactive Strategy. However, Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine which appears to revolve around Minimum Credible Deterrence is still not publicly declared and the ambiguity goes in the favour of strategic interests of the country.
Requirement of a nuclear command and control is far more demanding than that of a conventional one and right after 28 May 1998, need for a nuclear command and control was felt more than ever before. As a result, three tiered National Command Authority (NCA) with President of Pakistan as it’s Chairman and Prime Minister as Vice Chairman was established in the year 2000 (the appointment of Chairman was later rendered to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani by President Asif Zardari abolishing the appointment of Vice Chairman). Adequate civilian representation (in addition to chairman) in NCA includes Foreign Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Minister of Interior. NCA is comprised of two control committees and three Services Strategic Forces with Strategic Plans Division (SPD) functioning as its secretariat headed by a Lt Gen.
Pakistan nuclear assets both civilian and military are well protected in terms of nuclear safety as well as physical security. The learning in nuclear safety and security has been swift bringing the standards at par with the most advanced nuclear states. The same has been recognized by NTI Nuclear Security Index 2014, which termed Pakistan’s nuclear security as most improved among nuclear states. Learning from the Dr A.Q. Khan incident, Pakistan has improved nuclear export control manifold making any such incident next to impossible in the future.
Thus, Pakistan has not only developed the nuclear capability under pressure and threats, but has also maintained it’s status as a responsible nuclear state.
January 2, 2020
Statistical book covering all necessary details about Pakistan nuclear programme's , capacity, capability, comd structure and safety procedures involved and evolved.
October 5, 2024
Statistical book covering all necessary details about Pakistan nuclear programme's , capacity, capability, comd structure and safety procedures involved and evolved.
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March 12, 2025Very Informative Book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews